A 7,000-Mile Journey Was Just the First Step
As the clock struck midnight in Arkansas and revelers rejoiced at the coming of the New Year on Jan. 1, 2016, we were already six hours into our journey.
It was a journey that took two scared parents and a nervous little boy from a luggage-stuffed taxi, aboard three airplanes, across the Pacific Ocean, through countless lines and in front of numerous government officials.
No amount of snacks or cartoons could make the time pass any faster.
After nearly 26 hours, we finally arrived in Little Rock to family and friends cheering in the airport lobby. Our tired, disheveled look didn’t scare anyone away, and they lined up excitedly to meet our son, Harrison.
In all, we had traveled 7,000 miles that day to bring our new boy home from South Korea.
Jan. 1, 2017, marked the anniversary.
It was a year of many things: earlier bedtimes, kid-friendly TV shows, more time playing outside and new foods in our kitchen. Dumplings, seaweed, rice and even kimchi now make regular appearances on our dinner plates.
Harrison’s face lights up when he sees those familiar foods, and he still enjoys using his little Korean chopsticks.
This past year also brought us many firsts. Not so much the traditional milestones like baby’s first step or first word, but things like his first hot dog or first “thank you” in English.
Harrison, who will turn 4 this month, was the first grandchild in the family and first child in our group of friends. Not every first was fun and exciting — first bath, yikes; first thunderstorm, not so much — but we made it through.
Each holiday was new to him, too. We hunted Easter eggs, watched fireworks on the Fourth of July, and carved jack-o’-lanterns. This kid loved pumpkins so much, we visited three pumpkin patches. We ate Thanksgiving turkey and opened Christmas presents by the tree.
Along with our new toddler came a whole new mix of emotions. Happiness, sadness, confusion — name an emotion and it has probably been in there somewhere.
We talk with Harrison a lot about his being from Korea and answer any questions he may have. We look at pictures often to help him remember his extended Korean family. We talk of Omma, his foster mother, and Stella, his foster sister. We also talk about our plans to return for a visit when he is older.
We look back at that day, one year ago, and realize our journey did not end at the airport; we are still on it today, and we are learning as we go, as all new parents must.
Who knew that signing those first few papers in January 2014 would create such a positive change in our lives? Harrison has brought countless positives to our lives, including my new favorite quote: “Go forth and booyah!”
Will do, Little Man. Will do.